People always ask the question “How did you end up in Costa Rica?”, and since the design headquarters is located here, I should tell you the story…

It all started when I was living in Atlanta, working as a physical therapist, and wanted to go on vacation and do some adventure activities in a far away place. All of my patients told me “Go to Costa Rica”. So, I started surfing on the web and found an adventure tour in Costa Rica. After a 10 minute phone call Serendipity, the tourism company, had me convinced that as a single, 29 year-old woman I would be safe and happy on one of their adventure tours. I booked it and went to Costa Rica for a week. I ended up being the only client on my trip because although it was a group itinerary, the other couple who had booked the trip canceled at the last minute. There I was, me, and two guides, having the time of my life! I went horseback riding, floated down a river with tons of monkeys and caymans, and birds, went canyoning down waterfalls, biking through coffee fields, and ran the Pacuare River. On the flight home I pulled out the airline magazine to see where Costa Rica was…

When I got home, Healthsouth, the rehabilitation company I was working for, went through some “problems” (the owner got caught embezzeling 2.8 billion dollars) and had to downsize. I figured what a great opportunity to go travel! I spoke with my boss who promised to give me a job when I got back from my trip and bought my ticket to go back to Costa Rica for 3 months.

I emailed one of the guys who had been one of my guides my flight info. and kept my fingers crossed the day I arrived. He was at the airport to pick me up, had found me an apartment to rent, and arranged with Serendipity for me to be a volunteer for three months. I got to go on all of the adventure activities, and when there were no trips, I cooked, cleaned and learned Spanish. I started dating the guy who picked me up at the airport, and as they say, “I fooled around and fell in love”.

First of all with the country. The town of Turrialba, where I live, is at the foot of a volcano surrounded by majestic landscapes displayed on nearby hillsides. The people are so kind. I was living a dream… I got to do adventure activities almost everyday and eat for free and learn another language!

Then with this man, who was first my friend, my boss, my work-out partner, my drinking buddy, and then became my boyfriend. Well at 30, I just knew. I was happier than I had ever been in my life! So, I went home for 2 1/2 weeks to think. I couldn’t come up with a good enough reason not to stay in Costa Rica, so I got back on the plane, brought the majority of my jewelry making tools and that is how it all began. I’ve always promised myself the day I am no longer happy I can always move back to the States!

Just by looking at the jewelry designs and reading their inspirational stories, you can see that day hasn’t come yet!

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,